Every festival promises an escape. Anjunadeep Explorations 2026 actually delivers one.
From June 11–16, thousands of Anjunadeep fans gathered in Dhërmi, Albania, for six unforgettable days of melodic house, breathtaking scenery, and sunrise moments that felt almost surreal. Set along the crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea, Explorations continues to prove that smaller festivals can create some of the biggest memories.
Unlike traditional festivals, there is no rush between stages or battle for the perfect viewing spot. Life slows down here. Mornings begin with a swim in the sea, afternoons blend into sunset sessions, and nights stretch well beyond sunrise.
The Cove: My Favorite Stage
The first stage you encounter is The Cove, and it quickly became my favorite of the entire festival.
Nestled inside a small harbor, the stage sits beside a beautiful pebble beach. During the day, festivalgoers relaxed in the sun, swam out to the famous Anjunadeep sign, or danced just a few feet from the DJ booth. The atmosphere felt intimate and incredibly welcoming.
As the sun disappeared, The Cove transformed. The cocktail bar overlooking the stage filled with people, while others danced barefoot across the beach below.
Some of my favorite sets of the week happened here.
Maty Owl delivered an emotional performance filled with organic rhythms and beautiful melodies that perfectly matched the surroundings. PROFF followed with an equally captivating journey through progressive house, while Marsh surprised everyone with a unique drum and bass set that became one of the festival’s biggest talking points.
Panorama: Pizza, Sunsets, and Deep Grooves
Further along the coastline sat Panorama, a stage many of us jokingly called the “Pizza Party.”
Fresh wood-fired pizza was served by the slice all day and well into the night. Combined with uninterrupted views across the Ionian Sea, it became one of the easiest places to spend hours without realizing it.
The stage consistently delivered an upbeat atmosphere. Whether people were dancing or simply watching the sunset, Panorama always felt alive.
Splendor: Where the Biggest Moments Happened
Splendor served as the festival’s largest stage.
Located beside a beautiful five-star resort, the venue overlooked the sea, with waves crashing against the shoreline just steps from the dancefloor. At times, the water even splashed onto the wooden deck, creating one of the most unique festival settings I’ve experienced.
Several standout performances happened here.
Luttrell brought his signature melodic house sound with an energetic yet emotional set that perfectly matched the coastal setting. Later in the weekend, Marsh’s sunrise performance became one of the defining moments of Explorations. Watching the sun slowly rise over the Albanian Riviera while melodic house echoed across the coastline was something I’ll never forget.
The Pavilion: Music by the Water
Located beside another beautiful beachfront resort, The Pavilion offered a completely different pace.
Comfortable sun loungers lined the shoreline, allowing people to relax while still enjoying the music. Others gathered on the raised platform overlooking the sea as DJs played throughout the day.
My favorite performances came from HANA, whose ethereal vocals floated beautifully across the venue, and Braxton, whose atmospheric progressive sound felt perfectly at home beside the water. 16BL also delivered one of the weekend’s strongest deep house sets, reminding everyone why he remains one of Anjunadeep’s defining artists.
The Tent: An Unexpected Highlight
Then there was The Tent.
It looked exactly as its name suggests, but the experience inside was anything but ordinary.
The circular stage featured a full 360-degree sound system, surrounding the crowd from every direction. My favorite moment came during Because of Art’s disco set, which completely transformed the space into one huge dancefloor.
More Than Just the Music
Part of what makes Anjunadeep Explorations so special is everything that happens between the sets.
Festivalgoers could book yoga sessions, guided meditation, sound baths, poolside parties, and intimate dining experiences throughout the week. The famous Gjipe Beach parties, accessible only by boat, remained one of the festival’s most sought-after experiences and perfectly captured the adventurous spirit of Explorations.
Every part of the festival encouraged people to slow down, disconnect, and fully enjoy their surroundings.
Final Thoughts
Anjunadeep Explorations isn’t built around massive production or headline moments.
Instead, it succeeds by creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in electronic music.
The beaches, the mountains, the music, and the people all come together naturally. Nothing feels forced, and nothing feels rushed.
After six days on the Albanian Riviera, it became clear why so many people return year after year.
Anjunadeep Explorations isn’t simply another destination festival.
It’s a place where music and nature exist in perfect harmony.
